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A reflection on pharmacists promoting access to affordable medications; My time at ASHP HQ

By Patrick Hoheisel posted 01-25-2019 14:43

  

Today is the last day of my national association management rotation at ASHP headquarters, and I have had the opportunity to be a part of many discussions on pharmacy practice advancement, policy, and advocacy.  Because of its proximity to the Capital, I also had the opportunity to sit in on the recent launch of an organization that is aiming to bring awareness to patents on pharmaceuticals.  The Coalition Against Patent Abuse (CAPA) is a group of healthcare providers, consumer groups, patient advocacy organizations, free market advocates, employers, and others fighting abuses of the patent system that can extend government-granted monopolies that keep drug prices high for years, or even decades.  As a student and resident, I have read about tactics that pharmaceutical companies use to extend the lives of patents, such as evergreening and attempting to move patents to indigenous populations. It was incredibly profound to hear first-hand about patent and regulatory abuses as well as patients describe the hardships of drug costs.  The launch event included a discussion with:

  • Representative Frank Pallone (D-NJ), Chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee
  • Michael Carrier, Distinguished Professor of Law, Rutgers Law School
  • David Mitchell, cancer patient and founder of Patients for Affordable Drugs
  • Wayne Brough, PhD, President, Innovation Defense Fund
  • Adam Garber, Consumer Watchdog, U.S. PIRG
  • George Slover, Senior Policy Counsel, Consumers Union

The impact of drug prices on access to pharmacotherapy strikes at the core of what we as pharmacists and healthcare professionals try to provide for our patients that ASHP describes as their vision statement, that medication use will be optimal, safe, and effective for all people all of the time.  When pharmaceutical companies attempt to block market entry of lower-cost generic and biosimilar drug therapies, it reduces accessibility of affordable medications for a number of patients, some of whom would rather forgo treatment than pay brand pricing.  The 116th Congress will be debating a number of legislations regarding drug pricing including the CREATES Act, which aims to decrease anti-competitive behavior from brand-name manufacturers.

On a personal note, the opportunity to spend three weeks at ASHP Headquarters has given me the chance to observe not only the dedicated and hard-working staff who continuously strive to provide members the tools and support to advance the practice of pharmacy, but also have exposure to the political process and how we can help shape the future of patient care.  As I reflect on my time here, I am thankful for the chance to work alongside some of the greatest minds in pharmacy and am more excited than ever for what the future holds for our profession. 

Has access to affordable medication impacted your pharmacy practice?  If you could speak to this coalition on behalf of your patients, what would you tell them?  Please share your thoughts!

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